Quarterback C.J. Stroud was ruled out of Week 11 as the Houston Texans face off against the Tennessee Titans early, just as he was in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the NFL has put the Texans and Stroud in a difficult situation.
Stroud suffered his concussion in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos.
He must complete a five-phase concussion protocol and be cleared by an independent neurological consultant before he can return, and all of that is where the potential issues lie.
C.J. Stroud Facing Time Crunch for Bills-Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans waits to take the field against the Baltimore Ravens.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans ruled Stroud out for Sunday on Thursday, and the 2023 Pro Bowl QB failed to participate in any practices for the second straight week.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander took stock of the dour situation.
“The fact that Ryans would rule out Stroud and [Jalen] Pitre so early indicates that both players continue to exhibit symptoms from the injury and haven’t progressed enough to practice. Neither practiced Friday and won’t make the trip to Nashville,” Alexander wrote in an article published on November 15.
“That could complicate their status to play beyond Sunday’s game against the Titans. The Texans have a short week after Tennessee with a Thursday Night Football game against the Buffalo Bills at home.”
Stroud, 24, has thrown for 1,702 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions on 66.5% completion this season.
Sacks were an issue earlier this season, and his health is of the utmost importance.
“Stroud’s health should be the primary concern for the Texans,” Alexander wrote. “He’s suffered two concussions in his first three seasons in the NFL, and they must better protect him from injury.”
Stroud is “improving,” per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on November 12. His next opportunity to return for the Texans would be 10 days after the Bills game, against the Indianapolis Colts.
Rookie Graham Mertz will operate as QB2.
DeMeco Ryans Advocates QBs Wearing Guardian Caps
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts against the San Francisco 49ers.
Ryans, who once sued the Texans and the NFL over a career-altering Achilles tear suffered in 2014 while with the Philadelphia Eagles, spoke candidly about his desire to see players, and specifically quarterbacks, protected as well as possible.
That includes possibly wearing guardian caps, though their efficacy has been questioned.
Ryans praised the league’s efforts and proactivity so far, but he remains willing to go further if necessary.
“I think for me and for everybody, man, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure these guys are as healthy as possible. Whatever team you’re on, whoever you play for, it’s about the person first and foremost. And you never want to see anybody, especially, battle the concussions, right? That’s a delicate situation, and you don’t want to see guys go through it. It’s tough watching guys have to go through that,” Ryans told reporters on November 13.
“So, whatever we have to do. And I know it’s, you play a physical game, some things you can’t truly control, how that impact happens. But I think the league’s done a good job of changing the position-specific helmets for the linemen, for the quarterback, and they continue to advance and progress the helmet protocol to make sure we have the safest equipment possible.”
C.J. Stroud Will Have ‘3 More Chances’ to Suit Up in Week 12
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans reacts after defeating the San Francisco 49ers.
Alexander noted that Stroud and Pitre, who also suffered a concussion in Week 9 against the Broncos, “technically have three more opportunities to get those two practices in before they can be cleared.
“The Texans could leave a trainer behind and simulate a practice on Sunday. They could also practice on Monday at the team’s walk-through, then go through a full contact practice on Tuesday to be cleared,” Alexander wrote. “We’ll know for sure when Monday’s injury report is released.”
If Stroud remains sidelined for a third straight week, the Texans will again turn to Davis Mills. He was a 2021 third-round pick and the team’s starter before drafting Stroud No. 2 overall in 2023.
Mills has performed well in Stroud’s stead, allowing the Texans to proceed with extreme caution.
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